Movement Computer Systems Movement Drum System II

The Movement Drum System II (generally referred to as the Movement MCS Percussion Computer) was a very rare British-made drum machine produced between 1981 (MKI) and 1983 (MKII).

Like it's predecessor the MK II offers both analogue synthesized drum sounds similar to Simmons SDS-V and basic digital 8-bit drum samples. In total 14 independent voice modules could be played (5 of which can be digital). Also notable for its computer-like design and its ability to display drum notes and sequencing graphically on a green black cathode ray tube display. It is estimated that approximately thirty were made.

In 1984, MIDI was added to create an additional 8 track sequencer. Other hardware modifications, like battery backed memory and disk drives were added.

he original designers was John Dickenson (owned the company Movement) and Dave Goodway. John Dickenson supplied sounds and the idea (the Design, Look, how it should work, layout etc.) and Dave Goodway did the electronic side of the drum machine.

Its most famous user was David A. Stewart of Eurythmics, who excelled in the use of this Drum Computer on their 1983 worldwide hit, "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)." The machine (MKI) makes an appearance in the video, in a scene in which singer Annie Lennox is seated on top of a table in a meadow, as Dave Stewart types on the Drum Computer's keyboard. Note in this video the version used is a two-piece type base unit and separate monitor (perhaps a prototype or the MKI model). This is the model that also appears briefly near the beginning of the video for "Love On Your Side" by Thompson Twins. Phil Collins used an orange smaller 'one piece' MKII. David Stewart also used this machine on the following two albums, Touch and soundtrack album 1984 (For the Love of Big Brother). The last commercial track release Eurythmics used this machine was on Sexcrime (Nineteen Eighty-Four). At this time the Eurythmics chose to use a lot of heavy ambient audio outboard processing to 'beef-up' and update perhaps the rather mild and dated sound of this classic machine.